Hemp plant named ‘C2B’

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a new and distinct variety of hemp designated as ‘C2B’, wherein ‘C2B’ comprises a cannabidiol:cannabichromene:tetryhydrocannabinol ratio of 25:9:1 which is 4-8 times greater than the average amount of cannabichromene found in other  Cannabis  varieties.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Cannabis spp.

Variety denomination: ‘C2B’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cannabis is the genus of a variety of species—Cannabis sativa, Cannabis ruderalis, and Cannabis indica—which is often used as an umbrella term to refer to them all. This misclassification of the different species has made it difficult to properly distinguish between and understand the best ways to utilize the different varieties of these plants.

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, Hemp is a variety of Cannabis sativa that is distinguished by its low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels of less than 0.3%. THC is the only currently known psychoactive compound found in Cannabis, however there are many additional cannabinoid compounds that can be utilized in a variety of ways. The exact concentration results based on lab testing of dried flowers will vary depending on growing conditions of the plant, and sampling, preparation, and testing methods used. THC production, for example, is a natural defense mechanism for the plant, meaning in high stress or threatening environments the specific plant will produce higher levels of THC. Because of this inconsistency, many state labs are allowing slightly higher levels of THC in the tests as anything under 1% THC has not been proven to have psychoactive effects.

For the purpose of this study on ‘C2B’, the cannabinoid percentages are recorded based on a plant grown in a high-stress environment to determine the maximum concentration of THC that will be produced by this specific strain. The results conclude that the ‘C2B’ is a type-III hemp cultivar meaning it does not possess the allele to ever make more than 0.5% THC (and thus is not suitable for marijuana use). Additionally, ‘C2B’ is a new, unique variety because of its composition of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Unlike many other Cannabis varieties, ‘C2B’ has a 25:9:1 cannabidiol:cannabichromene:tetrahydrocannabinol (CBD:CBC:THC) ratio which has not been identified thus far in other strains. Therefore, ‘C2B’ can be used to extract CBD and CBC for medicinal applications.

With the recent legalization of hemp in 2018, the studies on medicinal effects of CBD are only at the beginning. CBD has been proven to alleviate nausea, chronic pain, and spasticity due to MS, to reduce blood pressure, to work as an anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, and anti-inflammatory and so much more. CBC, on the other hand, has only been isolated in such small concentrations that extensive research is required to continue understanding the possibilities for this compound. So far, CBC has been shown to act as an antidepressant and anti-inflammatory, is used to treat acne and hypermotility, and is rumored to kill cancer cells.

‘C2B’ was developed in a selective breeding program by performing controlled fertilization of known, high-performing hemp varieties. It was created by breeding both Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica species together to create this unique hybrid. The purpose of the research was to determine what methods would allow for low THC levels in stressful, less-than-ideal environmental conditions (e.g., low-pH soil, high-salinity soil, dry environments, short growing seasons, etc.). The research also was striving to isolate varieties of plants with high concentrations of cannabinoids that have not been isolated in mass. ‘C2B’ was the best-performing individual selected from 200 seed phenotypes with CBC levels nearly four to eight times the industry average. Most Cannabis varieties have no detectable level of CBC, and none of the other plants of the 200 seed phenotypes exhibited more than 50% of the ‘C2B’ CBC levels.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive hemp cultivar designated as ‘C2B’, wherein ‘C2B’ comprises a cannabidiol:cannabichromene:tetrahydrocannabinol ratio of 25:9:1 which is 4-8 times the average amount of cannabichromene found in other Cannabis varieties.

As used herein, the term “cultivar” is used interchangeably with the terms “variety,” strain,” and/or “clone.”

Progenies have been reproduced asexually via apical stem cuttings from vegetative plants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the new hemp variety:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a CC mother on the left next to a ‘C2B’ on the right, both grown from clones and planted in soil at the same time, at 23 days from the time the clones were planted in soil;

FIG. 2 shows top views of apical buds of a CC mother on the left and of a ‘C2B’ on the right, at 21 days after the flowering cycle was introduced;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a defoliated ‘C2B’ plant on day 26 of the flowering cycle (due to defoliation, branching is not natural);

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a ‘C2B’ plant on day 25 after the rockwool clone was planted in soil, grown in 24-hour light with no defoliation or manipulation other than initially being planted in a 3-inch pot then being transplanted to a 3-gallon pot;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of ‘C2B’ taken two weeks prior to harvest;

FIG. 6 shows a close-up perspective view of ‘C2B’ stem, illustrating stem shape; and

FIG. 7 shows a close-up perspective view of CC mother stem, illustrating stem shape.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘C2B’ has been examined in manipulated conditions grown indoors in Black Point, Calif. The variety has not been grown in all possible conditions, thus different environmental factors alter the appearance or composition of this phenotype. The individual has been reproduced asexually via apical stem cuttings from vegetative plants and remains stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

In the following description, the color determination is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Charts, Fifth Edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

TABLE I General Characteristics New Variety Plant Life Form Herbaceous plant (herb) Plant Growth Upright, dioecious, annual, no hermaphrodite, Habit or monoecious, tendencies without stress conditions. Plant origin ‘C2B’ was created in a selective breeding program from a cross between the Mother, CC, hemp variety and the Father, K, hemp variety. Plant Propagation Asexually reproduced via apical stem cutting and cloning from mother in vegetative state. Propagation ease Easy Propagation 80° F., 90% humidity Condition Height (unit: feet) Outdoors may reach 15-17 feet at maturity. Indoors may reach 3-6 feet at maturity depending on growth conditions. Width (unit: feet) Outdoors may reach 10 feet at maturity. Indoors may reach 1-2 feet depending on growth conditions. This plant is more slender than typical Cannabis plants having less foliage and large internodes. Time to Harvest 75 Days from Induction of flowering light cycle Resistance to Exhibits resistance to Podosphaera macularis Pests or disease (Powdery Mildew) and Botrytis cinerea (Grey Mold Fungus). Has resistance to Phorodon cannabis (Bhang Aphid), Myzus persicae (Green Peach Aphid), Aphis fabae (Black Bean Aphid), Tetranychu surticae (Two- Spotted Spider Mite) and Panonychus ulmi (Red Spider Mite). Genetically Modified No Organism? Parental Variety (CC) Characteristics (Female Plant) Plant Life Form Herbaceous plant (herb) Plant Growth Habit Upright, dioecious, annual, no hermaphrodite or monoecious tendencies without stress conditions. Plant origin Origin unknown Plant Propagation Asexually reproduced via apical stem cutting and cloning from CC in vegetative state. Propagation ease Easy Propagation 80° F., 90% humidity Condition Height (unit: feet) Outdoors may reach 8-10 feet at maturity. Indoors may reach 3-4 feet depending on growth conditions. Width (unit: feet) Outdoors may reach 6-8 feet. Indoors may reach 1-2 feet. Time to Harvest 60 Days from Induction of flowering light cycle Resistance to More-prone to Podosphaera macularis Pests or disease (Powdery Mildew) than ‘C2B’. Has resistance to Phorodon cannabis (Bhang Aphid), Myzus persicae (Green Peach Aphid), Aphis fabae (Black Bean Aphid) and Tetranychus urticae (Two-Spotted Spider Mite and Red Spider Mite). Genetically Modified No Organism?

TABLE II Leaf/Foliage Characteristics New Variety Leaf Arrangement Spiral alternate leaf arrangement when grown from a cutting. Stem is less angled between nodes as compared to mother. Leaf Shape Palmately compound with 3-5 leaflets in mature growth. Leaf Structure Sharply serrated margins. Skinny oval to lanceolate leaflets, sometimes appear falcate. Apex and base are acuminate, apex longer tapering. More narrow leaf Leaf Margins Serrate margins. Outer side of the serration is concave to straight. Inner side is convex. Tip of each serration slightly curls. Leaf Hairs Absent Leaf Length with 15-22 cm Petiole at Maturity Petiole Length at 4-8 cm Maturity Petiole Color 149B to 150A (RHS Number) Anthocyanin Green but may show light lavender color and intensity in Petioles Stipule length at 1-4 mm maturity Stipule shape Very small, lance shape. Broad/rounded base with acuminate/long tapering apex. Stipule Color 149B to 150A (RHS Number) Number of 3-5 throughout life cycle Leaflets Middle Largest 8-15 cm (longest leaflet) length Middle Largest 1.1-2.3 cm (longest leaflet) width Middle Largest About 7:1 (longest Leaflet) length/width Ratio Number of teeth 28-32 of middle leaflet Leaf (upper side) 141A and 134A color (RHS Number) Leaf (lower side) 144A-B color (RHS Number) Leaf Glossiness Not very. More matte, slight gloss reflection but not shiny, Vein/midrib shape Midveins branch palmately with the leaflets, 2° veins are pinnate and branch towards the apex of the serrations, they are relatively straight until they near the margins and they may angle upwards slightly. 3° veins are palmate slightly branching from 2° veins. 3° veins close to the margin will branch to the dip between serrations. Only 1° and 2° veins are visible from the top of the leaf Vein/midrib color 149B-C (RHS Number) Aroma Flower has an earth aroma with a hint of berry wine and pepper. Parental Variety (CC) Characteristics (Female Plant) Leaf Arrangement Spirally alternate when grown from a cutting. Stalk alternates directions back and forth between branches. Leaf Shape Palmately compound with 5-7 leaflets throughout the life cycle. Leaf Structure Serrated margins. Elliptical leaf with tapering base and apex. Middle section of leaflets are wide. Leaf Margins Evenly serrated. Point of serration is more acuminate/tapering to a point. Inner and outer sides of serrations are convex. Leaf Hairs None Leaf Length with 13.1-19 cm Petiole at Maturity Petiole Length at 3-5.5 cm Maturity Petiole Color 150A (RHS Number) Anthocyanin Purple to green color and intensity in Petioles Stipule length at 1.5-3 mm maturity Stipule shape Very small, lance shape. Broad/rounded base with acuminate/long tapering apex. Stipule Color 150A (RHS Number) Number of 5-7 throughout life cycle Leaflets Middle Largest 9.3-13 cm (longest leaflet) length Middle Largest 2-4 cm (longest leaflet) width Middle Largest About 4:1 (longest Leaflet) length/width Ratio Number of teeth 23-25 of middle leaflet Leaf (upper side) N144C color (RHS Number) Leaf (lower side) 149A color (RHS Number) Leaf Glossiness Bottom is matte, top has slight light reflection but not shiny Vein/midrib shape Midvein is palmate with leaflets. 2° veins are pinnate and straight. 3° veins are also palmate and branch from 10 and 2° veins. All three types of veins are slightly visible from the top. Vein/midrib color 149C (RHS Number) Aroma Flower has a spicy pepper with a sweet floral fragrance.

TABLE III Stem Parental Variety Characteristics New Variety (CC) (Female Plant) Stem Shape (See FIG. 6) Round at (See FIG. 7) At maturity, maturity. Immature or new round and in the bottom/ growth has ridges, with a trunk of the plant, growth relatively pentagonal shape. appears woody. Immature Young growth is pubescent, or new growth has ridges, older growth loses the hairs. approximately pentagonal Ridges are slightly furrowed, in shape. Between nodes, more protruding angles the stem angles slightly connected by flat sides. to give a zig-zag Nodes, where branches meet appearance. the stalk, bulge to support large flowers. Main stem internodes are long compared to other Cannabis cultivars. Stem Diameter 2-10 cm 3-12 cm at Base Stem Color 144A to 146A 144A to 146A Stem Pith Type Thick to woody Moderate to thick

TABLE IV Inflorescence Characteristics New Variety Flowering Dioecious. Once branching also (blooming) habit occurs at the node, the flower will grow >1 cm up from the branch before producing a flower. Flowers grow tubular with a solid cola. Proportion of Around 50% Very Stable Dioecious female plants Inflorescence Above branches at nodes. Slight Position stem grown for bud to be above/separate from branch. Flower Overlapping, congested, individual arrangement flowers grow in tubular formation and grow separate from others. Large internodes keep buds separate, even if branching on the same node, not stacked. Number of Hundreds to thousands Flowers per plant Flower shape Asymmetrical growth. Flower itself may have bilateral symmetry. Surrounding leaves are sparse and do not fully circle the flower as with other cannabis strains. The leaves are more layered with further distance between them so they do not appear as clustered around the flower. Flower 5-10 mm (individual pistillate) length Flower 2-12 cm (compound cyme) diameter Corolla No defined corolla Corolla Color N/A (RHS number) Bract shape Small, ovate with tapering apex. Hidden under the leaves surrounding the flower, directly below each individual flower. Bracts are typically 2-3mm and are covered in glandular trichomes. Bract color (RHS 149B to 150A number) Bracteole shape Same as bract. More within the (general flower cluster. Hard to identify description) without dissection. Roughly 0.25- 1 mm in size; very small. Bracteole color 149B to 150A (RHS number) Calyx Shape Triangular conical, about 1-3mm (general and covered in glandular trichomes description) Calyx color (RHS 143A to 143C number) Stigma shape Ovate shape with long tapering apex where 2 spindle-like styles protrude. Stigma length 3-10 mm Stigma color 149C to 149D (RHS number) Trichome shape Capitate stalked gland, long stalk with smaller bulb on top. In mature plants grow on flowers, petioles, leaves and veins. Cystolithic non- On leaves farther from bud. Leaves glandular grow trichomes that appear glandular when surrounding the flowers. Trichome color Immature: 142D (RHS number) Mature (when ready to harvest): 172A Terminal Bud When flowering: More radial shape symmetry from leaves growing without obstruction from stem. Buds generally have similar appearance because they grow protruding from their node, rather than hugging the stem/branch which allows for more equal growth around the circumference. When vegetative: the bud has spindly new growth coming out. New leaves are very skinny, almost hair-like and do not grow as straight as other cannabis plants. Terminal Bud Est. N144D and 150C color (RHS number) Pedicle Present in varying lengths depending on maturity and location of bud. Length is in the range of 0.5- 4 cm and color is 144A. Staminate shape N/A Sepal color (RHS N/A number) Pollen description N/A Seed description Light brown, oval, solitary, 3-7 mm in length. Typically weigh .01-.03 g. Variation observed due to environmental conditions. Marbling of seed Minimal. Petal description N/A, Apetalous Parental Variety (CC) Characteristics (Female Plant) Flowering Dioecious, so grows pistillate (blooming) habit flowers at nodes. Once branching also occurs at the node, the flower will grow above the branch before producing a flower. Flowers grow very bulbous, almost spherical. Leaves surrounding the buds radiate and are more present around apical buds. Proportion of 50% grown from seed, normal female plants dioecious plant Inflorescence Above Position Flower Overlapping, congested, individual arrangement flowers grow in spherical formation. Flowers are stacked or clustered at maturity. Number of Hundreds to thousands Flowers per plant Flower shape Has mostly radial symmetry with leaves growing all around the flowers. Because of its separation from other buds, grows generally spherically. Flower 7-13 mm (individual pistillate) length Flower 2-13 cm (compound cyme) diameter Corolla No defined corolla Corolla Color N/A (RHS number) Bract shape Broad /rounded base with long, tapering apex. Longer and more prominent than offspring ‘C2B’. Bracts are typically 3-4 mm and are covered in glandular trichomes. Bract color (RHS 150A number) Bracteole shape Same as bract, further enclosed in (general flower so hard to identify without description) dissection. Roughly 0.5-1 mm in size; very small. Bracteole color 150A (RHS number) Calyx Shape Not present (general description) Calyx color (RHS N/A number) Stigma shape Ovate shape with broad base and tapering apex with 1-2 styles protruding. Generally smaller and broader than offspring ‘C2B’. Stigma length 5-8 mm Stigma color 150A (RHS number) Trichome shape Capitate stalked gland, stalk is shorter than ‘C2B’. In mature plants grow on flowers and petioles. Cystolithic non- Present on leaves. glandular Trichome color Immature: 142D (RHS number) Mature (when ready to harvest): 172A Terminal Bud When flowering: More radial shape symmetry from leaves growing without obstruction from stem. Terminal Bud 145B to 145D color (RHS number) Pedicle Present but shorter than the ‘C2B’. Length is in the range of 0.25-2 cm and color is N144C. Staminate shape N/A Sepal color (RHS N/A number) Pollen description N/A Seed description Seeds are 2-3 mm in length. The seeds have vertical lines along the sides of the seed but only 3-5 per seed. The seed is a light brown with white lines that look like veins between some of the vertical lines. Marbling of seed There is no marbling. Petal description N/A

TABLE V Other Characteristics Characteristics New Variety Time period and Flower production is initiated when condition of plants are taken from vegetative flowering/blooming growth at 24-hour light and switched to 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of dark during what would be the nocturnal period. Flowers are mature typically 75 days after flowering light cycle is initiated. flowering light cycle is initiated. Proportion of None hermaphrodite plants Hardiness of plant Is cold tolerant and grows well on several different, diverse nutrient formulas. Grows in USDA hardiness zones 4-11. Breaking action Above average, very sturdy. Seed Shattering Minimal Root rate after Has exhibited 100% success at new cutting/cloning root development after cloning, Adventitious roots appear at 10-14 days. Total THC and Total CBD content: 8.24% CBD Content at Total THC content: 0.3% harvest maturity Total CBD:THC Ratio: 25:1 Total CBC content Total CBC: 3.64% at harvest maturity (CBC = .22% CBD:CBC:THC Parental Variety (CC) Characteristics (Female Plant) Time period and Flower production is initiated condition of when plants are taken from flowering/blooming vegetative growth at 24-hour light and switched to 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of dark during what would be the nocturnal period. Flowers mature typically 75 days after the Proportion of None hermaphrodite plants Hardiness of plant Tolerant to salty soil and drought conditions. Grows in USDA hardiness zones 6-11. Breaking action Above average, very sturdy. Seed Shattering Minimal Root rate after Has exhibited 100% success at cutting/cloning new root development after cloning. Adventitious roots appear at 10-14 days. Total THC and Total CBD content: 15% CBD Content at Total THC content: 0.5% harvest maturity Total CBD:THC Ratio: 30:1 Total CBC content Total CBC: ND at harvest maturity and CBCA = 3.9%) Ratio = 25:9:1

The botanical descriptions provided are generalizing from plants grown indoors in controlled conditions. Cannabinoids were measured by extracting flower samples in ethanol and running samples on a Shimadzu LC 2030 3D plus with PDA detector (HPLC/PDA) instrument calibrated with cannabinoid standards from Cerilliant Chemical. Total potential cannabinoid content is measured using a formula to account for decarboxylation of the acidic forms to allow for more accurate estimation. The formulas used are provided for convenience: Total THC=THC+(THCA*(0.877)); Total CBD=CBD+(CBDA*(0.877)); Total CBC=CBC+(CBCA*(0.877)).

The K father, similar to ‘C2B’, has alternate, palmately compound leaves with 3 to 5 leaflets when immature and up to 9 at maturity. The leaflets have jagged serrate margins with the tooth apex angled towards the leaflet apex and about 19 to 29 teeth per leaflet. The leaves with the petiole are about 12 to 24 cm long and the petiole alone is about 4.2 to 8 cm long. The middle largest leaflet is about 7 to 16 cm long and 1.5 to 2 cm wide for a 4:1 or 8:1 length to width ratio. Generally, the K variety has the potential to produce 4% to 6% CBD and 0.13% to 0.27% THC which is lower than ‘C2B’ and K has no detectable levels of CBC. Other physical differences are present between ‘C2B’ and the K father due to the different appearances between male and female Cannabis plants. For example, males produce pollen sacs, are more-stout and taller, and have thicker stalks while females produce buds that grow into inflorescences and are usually shorter.

When compared to the CC mother, ‘C2B’ is generally a taller, more-slender plant. The ‘C2B’ grows faster with longer internodes which allows for the plant to reach taller heights but does not have as many leaves nor buds. The leaves of ‘C2B’ themselves even show similarities to the growth of the plant, with CC having leaflets that are much broader and with a smaller length:width ratio. The ‘C2B’ leaves more closely resemble the father, K, rather than the mother, CC. ‘C2B’ generally grows much-longer and skinnier leaflets that contribute to its sparse appearance. On the margins, ‘C2B’ has 28-32 serrations whereas CC has only 23-25. Although both plants grow relatively solitary, non-overlapping buds, CC is bushier and has more leaves growing radially around the buds with the apical bud fully surrounded. ‘C2B’ has buds that only have one or two leaves surrounding it and the apical has leaves that radiate in different layers. The distinction in density of leaves is prominent because the ‘C2B’ has long internodes where leaves grow which produce more space between the already-skinny leaves. At nodes where branches protrude from the stem, CC has smooth junctions (see FIG. 7), whereas ‘C2B’ has a bulge at the connection point (see FIG. 6).

When compared to another Cannabis sativa Hemp variety, CW24, the ‘C2B’ grows much skinnier and with less foliage. The CW24 grows flowers that are clustered and stack on top of one another near the apex of each branch. The leaves are generally radiating around each bud and grow tall and erect with no bending at maturity. ‘C2B’, on the other hand, grows much more sparsely, with buds grown separately and spread out by large internodes.

-   Growth conditions:     -   -   Vegetative growth period.—24 hour light continuously. 78° F.             and 60% humidity.         -   Flower production period.—12 hour light followed by 12 hour             dark cycle repeating. 78° F. and 45% humidity. -   Outdoor growth: ‘C2B’ was grown outdoors on a farm located in Sonoma     County, Calif. The plants were planted as 30-day clones early in the     season, Aug. 16, 2019, resulting in an early flowering stage and     smaller adult plants. The ‘C2B’ plant has the potential to reach a     maximum of 15 to 17 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Compared to indoor     growth, the plant will be more robust and have a faster growth rate     with wider leaves. When grown outdoors, the father, K, variety will     reach 10 to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide and the mother, CC,     variety will reach 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. -   Vigor: Exhibits most-vigorous and rapid growth when transitioning     between vegetative and flowering growth. -   Coloration: Deep bluish green with a lighter, yellowish underside.     Changes in coloration occur with nutrient deficiencies or other     variation in growing maintenance. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of hemp plant, named ‘C2B’, as herein described and illustrated. 